Employment Suitability Clearance Information

We operate in a position of trust within the Australian community. Our employees are provided with significant powers to support the efficient and effective management of the Australian border.

To maintain the confidence of the Australian Government and the community, it is essential that all employees demonstrate and adhere to the highest standards of integrity and ethical behaviour, both in their official and private capacities. Therefore, before you can work with us, you must obtain (and maintain for the duration of your employment or association with the Department) an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC) – which assesses your suitability (from an integrity and character perspective) to work with or for us.

The Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC) is a rigorous pre-employment character and integrity suitability screening process undertaken by us.

The ESC process can be intrusive in nature and could include (but is not limited to) detailed background, character, employment, police and financial checks. During the ESC process, you will be required to declare your:

• current and past drug use
• criminal/high risk associations
• conflicts of interest
• business interests
• criminal history and involvement in criminal/illegal activities
• non-compliance with border-related laws
• workplace disciplinary history

You will need to read and understand the:

• Employment Security Clearance Information Pack (1330KB PDF)
• ESC Submission Checklist (603KB PDF)

You will be required to complete the following documents:

• Drug Acknowledgement Form (306KB PDF)
• Employment Suitability Clearance Privacy Notice and General Consent (438KB PDF)
• Employment Suitability Clearance Statutory Declaration and Official Secrets Forms (605KB PDF)

Maintaining your ESC

An ESC is a 'point in time' assessment of your suitability to work with us. It is therefore a mandatory condition that if you hold an ESC (as well as a Commonwealth security clearance) that you promptly report:

• changes in your personal circumstances
• information that could be relevant to an assessment of your ongoing suitability for either clearance

Examples of Declarable Circumstances you must report include:

• changes to your name or identity
• changes to your contact details (such as your address)
• changes to your living circumstances (such as other people over 18 residing with you)
• associations with criminals or other high risk individuals (such as members of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs),
• involvement in or association with criminal activity

A comprehensive list of all Declarable Circumstances (550KB PDF) is available.

You will be required to complete the following documents:

• Declarable Circumstances Form (144KB PDF) (for manual submission through email)
• Declarable Circumstances Privacy Notice and General Consent (765KB PDF) (if you are submitting your declarable circumstances report through ESC Online)

Employment Suitability Self-Assessment

Before applying for a career with us, we encourage you to click on the button below and complete the Employment Suitability Self-Assessment.